This year we will be running the Scout Night Adventure on the evening of Saturday, 16th November 2024.
This event will involve teams of Scouts following pre‐laid, defined trails through Frylands Wood Scout Campsite in Croydon, with checkpoints and incidents/activities testing their Scouting and problem-solving skills at the end of each trail. The event is open to one team of Scouts from every Troop across the District, with a probable maximum of 21 teams.
Planning
All troop leaders will be invited to attend two planning meetings at the District Hall, Harrow Road, Carshalton, SM5 3QE.
1st Meeting 24th September 19:30 pm
2nd Meeting 22nd October 19:30 pm
Please let me know if you can join us at the planning meetings by completing this form.
Teams
Teams will consist of four Scouts, all of whom must be under 14 years of age but over 10½ years of age on 16th November 2024. At least two of the Scouts in a team must be under 12 years of age on 16th November 2024. If this constitutes a genuine problem for any Troop, please let me know as some flexibility may be possible: this rule is intended to make the event fair for all teams, not to prevent groups from entering.
In addition, if a Troop cannot field a whole team of 4, they should complete a Team Entry Form stating how many of their Scouts are interested in participating. As in previous years, we will put together teams of mixed Troops so that as many Scouts as possible can participate.
If this is the case, there is no requirement for any entry fees to be paid at this stage, but the deadline for the entry form remains.
Event Timings
The event itself will run from 4.30 pm until approximately Midnight (the exact finish time will depend upon the number of teams entering). Based on 20 teams participating, the event’s duration is estimated to last 7 hours.
Each team will be given a designated check-in time; please ensure you arrive promptly for check-in.
Presentations
The presentation of the results will take place at approximately Midnight. We will present the Tate Shield, The Ray Shaw Memorial Trophy & The ADC award for the respective teams to keep until next year’s event.
Entry Fees
The entry fee per team will be £65.00 this fee includes all site fees, administration and equipment costs, hot drinks during the evening,
Team Entry
To enter a team from your Troop, please complete the online Troop Entry Form no later than 14th October 2024.
This year all payments will be taken online via the online sign-up form
**Please note that entries will not be accepted by telephone or email; they must be received via the online form with the appropriate payment.**
As previously mentioned, should the number of first‐team entries be less than anticipated, a place will be offered to second teams on a first come -first served basis, i.e. second-team entries will be selected by the date of receipt of the troops’ first-team entry form. All Scout leaders will be notified by the 15th of October if their 2nd team entry is successful.
Important Dates
Closing date for Team Entries 14th October 2024
Second Teams offered 16th October 2024
Scoring
The scoring of all incidents will be assessed against the same four basic criteria. These are:
(a) Approach – does the team approach the checkpoint quietly, announce their arrival, come to the alert and present themselves appropriately?
(b) Teamwork – do they attempt the task as a team and work together?
(c) Leadership – does someone take charge and organise the team’s attempt at the incident?
(d) Achievement – to what extent is the team successful in its attempt at the incident?
In addition, teams will also be competing for the Ray Shaw Memorial Trophy, which will be judged separately on the enthusiasm, team spirit and overall rapport of the team. Primarily, we will be looking for the team that tries its hardest and displays team unity and enjoyment throughout the event.
Adult Support
As in previous years, adult support will be required in order to run the exercise successfully. In particular, every team entering will need to supply two adults to man bases and supervise the incidents. These adults need not be leaders but must have a valid DBS disclosure through the Scout Association. It is not permissible for bases to be operated by 1 Adult and 1 Explorer Scout, although Explorer Scouts may assist if 2 Adults are present. Adults will be able to light a fire at their checkpoints and will be in regular contact with the event organising team through the radios, mobile phones (signal permitting) and roving marshals.
Watching different teams of Scouts attempting an incident can be both amusing and enlightening, and this might be the ideal opportunity to involve, and get to know better, that parent or friend who is nearly ready to volunteer as a leader or helper.
Adult assistance will also be needed with setting up the trails and incidents on Friday and on Saturday morning, and in clearing everything away on Sunday. If you are able to spare any time at all to help with this you would be very gratefully welcomed. For those on-site on Friday, a lunchtime meal will be provided and paid for by District. A hot lunch will be provided on Saturday and a cooked breakfast on the Sunday for those leaders who have either assisted during the Sunday morning or have stayed overnight.
If any Troop leaders/assistants/helpers/young leaders want to come and assist in the set‐up or dismantling, man a checkpoint or act as a roving marshal, so as to be able to experience the event for themselves without entering a team, they would be more than welcome to do so; please let me know if this is you or one of your leaders
**Note about second teams**
If Troops wish to enter a second team, please advise accordingly on your Team Entry Form, but I cannot guarantee participation unless not all of the available places have been filled by first-team entries by the deadline of 14th October 2024. Please note that every team entering will need to supply two adults (not necessarily leaders) to man bases for the evening; this is explained in more detail above.
The team and I look forward to welcoming you and your scouts to the event on the 16th of November. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in contact.
I will share a kit list, health form etc with you by the 16th of October.
